This week sees the departure of 24 Terracotta Ramblers walkers to the beautiful land of New Zealand to raise funds for Brain Research and the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI). Departing from Dublin on Friday 1 November and returning on Sunday 17 November, their target is to raise over €35,000 for the two charities while trekking through the South Island known in Maori as Te Wai Pounamu (meaning the waters of the greenstone or jade) where some of the best trekking in the world is to be found.

The team of ramblers from all over Ireland will take on the elements of New Zealand as they trek through places such as Christchurch, Akaroa, the Browning and Whitehorn Passes, the Fox River and the Fox Glacier walking up to 8 hours a day and camping for many of the nights over the course of the fortnight.

The Terracotta Ramblers have been an integral part of Brain Research and NCBI's fundraising for the last 9 years. Since their first trip to China from where they got their name (the Terracotta Warriors) they have gone from strength to strength,travelling to Brazil, Kilimanjoro, the Himilayas, Thailand, Peru and Vietnam, attracting people from all corners of the island and all walks of life to take part in the challenges.

Funds raised by the Terracotta Ramblers are divided equally between the two charities and used to further the services provided by both organisations.

Brain Research is the only registered Irish charity dedicated to raising funds in Ireland to support research and teaching into disorders of the central nervous system. At least half a million people on the island of Ireland are affected directly or indirectly by these illnesses. The primary focus of Brain Research is on research of a practical nature which has the potential to realise real benefits for sufferers of neurological illness, their families and carers.

The mission of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland is to optimise the intellectual, social and economic independence of vision impaired people and to minimise the handicapping effects of visual impairment. Presently there are 6,500 people on the register of blind people. A further 30,000 people in Ireland suffer from a significant sight loss, many of whom will eventually be included on the register. Three people go blind in Ireland every day.

All places on the New Zealand Challenge are filled, but if anyone is interested in joining the Terracotta Ramblers Challenge de Mexico next year, further details are available from the NCBI on 01 8307033 or www.brainresearch.ie